Cleaning apparatus for textile machinery



June 14, 1938. M, EADDY' 2,120,888

CLEANING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE MACHINERY Filed April 21, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 14, 1938. E. u. EADDY CLEANING APPARATUS FUR TEXTILE MACHINERY 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 21, 1957 [fin/557d 5400K June 14, 1938.

E. J. EADDY 2,120,888

Filed April 21, L937 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 14, 1938. E, J, EADDY 2,120,888

CLEANING APPARATUS FOR TEXTILE MACHINERY Filed April 21, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented June 14, 1938 PATENT OFFICE CLEANING APPARATUS FOR. TEXTILE MACHINERY Ernest J. Eaddy, Spartanburg, S. 0. Application April 21, 1937, Serial No. 138,260

9 Claims. (Cl. 242- 131) This invention relates to cleaning apparatus for textile machinery and has special reference to apparatus for cleaningcreels and the associating beam machinery. I

In taking off the thread from the cheeses or yarn packages, a very considerable quantity of lint is produced which fioats in the air around the cheeses or yarn packages and becomes deposited in small wads on the threads running from the creel to the beaming machine. These wads or lumps of lint catch in the comb of the beam.- ing machine and cause breakage of the threads so that the beaming operation has to be stopped until the broken threads can be connected. Also this lint from the cheeses is apt to collect at those parts of the machine over or through which the thread passes and, when so collected, is apt to be picked up from these wads or gouts with the consequent breakage above mentioned.

One important object of the invention is to provide novel means, as hereinafter described, Whereby'the lint thrown off in unwinding the cheeses is drawn away from the threads by apparatus for producing air currents and is thus kept from depositing either on the threads or on parts of the machinery.

A second object of the invention is to provide an improved suction producing arrangement for use in connection with textile machines whereby lint floating in the air around the machines will be drawn downward to off-take hoods so as to pass away from the machines.

A third important object of the invention is to provide a novel suction apparatus as hereinafter described so positioned and arranged with reference to the foot rails, common to textile machinery as to be held entirely within the space: defined by such foot rails so that no obstruction occurs to the movements of an operative around the machine.

A fourth important object of the invention is to provide a novel apparatus, as hereinafter described for producing air suction in the immediate vicinity of each of the supports for yarn packages in a textile machine.

A fifth important object of the invention is to provide a novel suction apparatus, as hereinafter described, whereby a single suction main is suitably connected to a creel and its associated beaming device in such manner that suction is obtained adjacent those parts of the machinery at which lint is produced and those parts of the machinery at which lint tends to collect.

A sixth important object of the invention is to provide an apparatus as hereinafter described whereby lint produced by unwinding cheeses supported in a. creel or other textile machine will be drawn off while floating in the air and before it has settled on any parts of the creel.

With the above and other objects in view, as will presently be apparent, the invention consists in general of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying draw ings and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings like characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and:

Figure l is a side elevation of a typical form of creel with the novel arrangement of cleaning apparatus applied thereto, the view also showing a warper associated with the creel and a cleaning arrangement for the warper.

Figure 2 is a somewhat enlarged plan view of the creel and showing its relation to the suction pipes associated with the warper and the delivery pipe for conveying air from both the creel and the warper to a filter.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a section on line 44, Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 2. Figure 6- is a greatly enlarged section on the line 6-6 of Figure 2'.

Figure '7 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary section on the line 1-1 of Figure 1.

In the embodiment of the invention as disclosed in the drawings a typical form of creel and a typical form of warper are illustrated. No attempt has been made to show many of the details of these machines and merely the general arrangements of devices of these characters since the invention does not require any particular details of construction in the two devices.

As here shown the creel consists of a pair of creel structures l0 and II of corresponding constructions and arranged symmetrically with respect to an intermediate vertical plane. These creel structures are shown as resting on the fioor F of a room. having a ceiling C. Each creel structure includes an upper frame l2 and a lower frame l3 of like form. Each frame consists of a pair of sides M which extend convergingly forward so that the two sides are closer at their forward ends than at their rear ends. Each frame also has a front portion l5 substantially semi-circular in plan and the forward ends of the sides I4 merge into the ends of the arcuate front portion l5. Each frame also has a rear portion I6 merging by means of. arcuate portions I! with the rear ends of the sides M. The frames l2 and I3 of each creel structure are held in vertically spaced relation by tie or supporting rods l8. Each creel structure also has its frames I2 and i3 connected by vertical bars is spaced along the sides l4 and projecting horizontally inward from each bar I9 is a series of vertically spaced supports 20 for yarn packages or cheeses 2|. The cheeses are thus arranged in vertical tiers and are so spaced as to form horizontal rows as shown in Figure 1. As clearly shown in Figure 2, the two creel structures l9 and H converge bodily in a forward direction so that the longitudinal median planes of these structures are closer at the forward ends of the structures than at the rear ends thereof.

22 and 23, rear portions 24 and diagonal corner portions 25 connecting the rear ends of the sides 22 and 23 with the rear portion 24. The side portions 22 unite or merge at their forward ends as shown in Figure 2. These foot rails are supported on posts or stands 26 so that they are spaced well above the floor F. The foot rails are spaced at a considerable distance from the bodies of the structures l9 and II.

The cleaning means which associates with the creel includes a pair of oppositely extending, oppositely disposed suction heads 21, 28 of like form communicating with each other at the forward portion of the inner sides thereof. The heads 21, 2B are of substantially U-form, arranged at and extend laterally from the lower portions of the sides and rear of the structures H), H respectively. Each head includes an inner side portion 29, an outer side portion 30 and a rear portion 3|. The ends of the latter merge into the portions 29, 39 at their rear ends. The portions 29, 39 and 3| form the top wall 35 of the head. Integral and co-extensive with the outer lengthwise edges of the portions 29, 30, 3| is a verticallydisposed continuous portion 32 which provides the outer side wall, the inner side wall and rear wall of the head. The inner'side wall is of less length than the outer side wall. The outer lengthwise edge of the portion 29 is of less length than the outer lengthwise edge of the portion 39. The portions 32 of the heads are arranged against the inner faces of the posts 29 and extend from the top of the foot rail to the floor F. The lower end of the portion 32 is formed with an inturned flange 33 through which extends holdfast means 34 engaging in the floor F for securely holding portion 32 stationary whereby the top wall 35 will be maintained in superposed spaced relation with respect to floor F. The portions'fili, 3| extend inwardly at a downward inclination from the top of portion 32 towards a structure H] or H. The part 4| of the portion 29 which has an outer lengthwise edge extends inwardly at a downwardly inclination from the top of portion 32, towards a structure H3 or II, and the other part of the portion 29, indicated at 49, extends inwardly at a downward inclination from its outer side towards a structure ID 'or Ii. The portions 29, 39, 3| at their inner ends merge into a vertically disposed continuous flange 35 having its lower edgedisposed parallel to, spaced above and coacting with the floor F to provide an intake slot 37 which is co-extensive with the portions 29, 39 and3l. The slotstl surround the major portion of the length of the lower ends of the structures l9 and H and are arranged in close proximity thereto. The parts 49 of the portions 29 of the heads, at their outer sides merge into each other forwardly of the parts 4| to provide a ridge 43.

In order to hold the flange at the inner side of the portions 29, 39, 3| in superposed spaced relation with respect to floor F and to permanently provide the slot 31 of uniform height throughout, a set of spaced vertically disposed tubular supports 38 are provided, which are positioned against the innerfaceof flange 35 and interposed between the portions 29, 39, 3| and floor F. Extending through the portions 29, 39, 3| in proximity to their inner side edges, as well as through the supports 38 and engaging in the floor F are holdfa'st means 39, as shown by way of example as nails.

Each head includes a forward wall forming means consisting of a pair of upstanding Wall members 45 bearing on floor F and merging at their upper ends into the forward ends of the portions 29 and 39 of the top wall of the head.

'It will now be seen that the heads surround both sides and the rear of each structure l9 and l I and provide a continuous intake slot along both sides and the rear of each structure, the intake slot being located at floor level and thus on a level with the bottom of the structures I0 and I Furthermore, the tops of the hoods slant downwardly towards these intake slots and terminate directly above the slots so that lint and other material falling on the hoods tends to move downwardly and fall off the top directly before said slots.

In order to cause suction through these slots there is provided a suction fan 46 which is mounted in any suitable position as, for instance, on a foundation 4! beneath the floor F. Leading from the intake side 48 of this fan is a main suction pipe 49 which is provided with a section 56 centrally between and beneath the'structures l9 and. II. This section 50 is provided with branch pipes 5| having upturned ends 52 extending up through the floor F and terminating in ports 53 opening into the head. The ports 53 are disposed in spaced relation and align with the lengthwise median of the portions 39 of the heads. The end of the pipe section 59 is branched to provide branches 54 having upturned ends 55 terminating in ports 56 opening into the hoods at the inner rear corner portions thereof. Branches 51 extend from the pipe section 50, have upturned ends 58 and open into the through ports 59. A branch pipe 69 inclines upwardly from the pipe section 50, has an upturned end SI and opens through a port 62' aligning with the point of mergence between the parts 40 of the heads (Figure 6). With the fan in operation suction is produced through the pipe 49, section 50 and the various branches at spaced points beneath the hoods so that air flows in through the suction slot and carries with it all lint and other unwanted material which drops by gravity downwardly near and in the creel from the cheeses, yarn and other sources. Thus such material is removed. The stretches 6'! provide upstanding suction pipes.

In order to prevent accumulation of lint, dust, fly and the like from the cheeses onto the yarn and machine, provision is made to produce a flow of air from points adjacent each cheese. To this end a pipe 63 branches off the pipe 49 and has an upturned end 64 which passes upwardly through the floor F. Branches 65'extend from the end 64 and lie along the central planes of the creel structures at the bottoms thereof From these branches '65 diverge small branch pipes 66 having upturned stretches 61 which extend between adjacent. tiers of cheeses and substantially at a level with each horizontal row of cheeses each of the stretches is'provided with a pair of oppositely disposed suction ports 68 confronting the adjacent cheeses. At each end of eachstructure it! and iii. are provided branches 69- having vertical stretches l-il' extending in front o-f'and behind the respective front and rear tiers of cheeses but these pipes, having cheeses only on one side, have single portsll' in place of the pairs of ports 69. Thus the action of the fan causes suction through the ports 68 and H and the air from the vicinity of the cheeses flows into the ports and passes through the various pipes to the fan, carrying with it the lint, fly and dust floating near the cheeses.

In order to dispose of the entrained material carried to the fan Mi there is connected to this ran an outlet pipe 12 which is here shown as having an upturned end 13 which passes through the fioorF and carries on its upper end a filter l4, having sides. E5- of finely foraminous material such as gauze so that air can escape from the filter while the entrained material will be caught and prevented from escaping.

Creels of this type are frequently-associated with warpers and in order to disclose the manner in which a single fan may, if desired, be usedthere is shown in Figure l a warper 16 carrying a warp beam H and having a guide comb 18. The warp beam is provided with a suction hood 19 having its ends connected by pipes with a pipe 8| which is in turn connected to the pipe 49. The comb is provided with a suction hood 82 carried by a pipe 83 connected by a swivel pipe joint 84 to a pipe 85 leading to the pipe 49. The hood 82 and pipe 83 are counterbalanced as at 86 so that the hood 82 may be easily raised and lowered by the operator when access. to the comb is desired. Also, a stop motion actuated device 81 is connected to the pipe 83 so that the-hood 82 is automatically raised upon effective operation of the stop motion. It is to be noted that the various parts relating to the warper and its cleaning means are specifically shown and described in my copending application forpatentonCleaning hood for textile machinery filed April 20, 1937 .and bearing the Serial Number 138,054. It is not, therefore, deemed necessary to illustrate or describe herein the specific construction of the hoods l9 and 82 and their associated parts but it is thought suflicient to say that one preferred construction of these features is that set forth in my aforesaid copending application.

With the arrangement just described it will be plain that the single fan 46 serves to produce cleaning suction not only at the creel but also at the warper.

It is to be noted that the means for cleaning the creel may be used whether the creel be used to supply yarn to a warper or to some other textile apparatus. For instance, such creels are used to supply yarn to apparatus for continuous dyeing and it is as. desirable to deliver clean yarn to a dyeing apparatus as it is to deliver clean yarn to a warp beam. The present invention therefore has equal utility and value for creels in all their uses as sources of yarn supply.

Not only will lint be removed from the machine but the air currents produced will also remove all fly, dust and other deleterious matter tending to settle on the yarn or the machine in places at i which it is apt to be picked up by the yarn.

It is therefore to be understood that whenever lint is mentioned herein the term is used in its broadest sense as including not only fibrous particles. from the yarn but all other forms of dust.

What is claimed is:

1. In cleaning apparatus for removing lint from a textile machine having means for supporting yarn packages in superposed spaced relation in vertically disposed spaced rows, said apparatus including a suction head disposed laterally withrespect to the lower portion of the sides and rear of the machine and having an intake opening in close proximity to the lower ends of said sides and rear, vertically disposed suction pipes, each disposed in juxtaposition to a row of packages. and formed with intakes, each aligning with a package of the row, and suction creating meanscommon to said pipes and head.

2'. In a cleaning apparatus for removing lint from a textile machine having a pair of creel structures of the type for supporting yarn packages in superposed spaced relation in vertically disposed spaced rows, said apparatus including a pair of oppositely disposed suction heads oom-.

munica-ting with each other at their forward and terminal portions and being substantially of inverted U-form, each of said heads being disposed laterally with respect to the lower portion of the sides and rear of a structure and having an intake opening in close proximity to the lower ends of the sides and rear of the structure, vertical-1y disposed suction pipes arranged within each of' said structures, each of said pipes being positioned in juxtaposition to a row of packages and having superposed intakes aligning with the packages of the row, and suction creating means common to said pipes and heads.

3. In a cleaning apparatus for removing lint from a textile machine of that type having means for supporting yarn packages in superposed spaced relation in vertically disposed spaced rows, said apparatus including an inverted substantially U-shaped suctionhead adapted to be disposed laterally with respect to the lower portion of the sides and rear of the machine and including .afront wall forming means, an outer side wall forming means, an inner side wall forming means and a top wall forming means, said inner side wall forming means being of less height than and having its lower end positioned above the bottom of the outer side wall forming means to provide an intake opening in close proximity to the lower end of the said sides and rear of the machine, said top wall forming means inclining downwardly from said outer side wall forming means to the said inner side wall forming means, and suction creating means opening into saidhead at a plurality of spaced points between the outer side wall forming means and the inner side wall forming means.

4. In combination, a pair of oppositely disposed upstanding creel structures, a pair of inverted substantially U-shaped suction heads surrounding and extended laterally from the lower portions of said structures and opening into each other at one side of their forward end terminal portions, each of said heads being formed with an intake opening throughout its inner side portion aligning with the lower end of a structure, and suction creating means common to and opening into each head at spaced points throughout the latter.

5. In combination, a creel structure, a floor for supporting it, an open bottom suction head of inverted substantially U-form seated on and having its bottom closed by said floor, said head sur- I5 rounding and extended laterally from the lower portion of the creel structure and being formed at its inner side with an intake opening aligning with the lower end of 131161 013661 structure, and suction creating means extended through the floor and opening into the head at spaced points throughout the latter.

Y ,6. In combination, a pair of oppositelydisposed upstanding creel structures, a pair of inverted substantially U-shaped suction heads each surrounding and extended laterally from the lower portions of each said structures and opening into each other at one side of their forward end terminal portions, each of said heads being formed with. an intake opening throughout its inner side portion aligning with the lower endof a structure, spaced upstanding suction pipes arranged within each creel structure and each iormedwith superposed intakes, and a suction creating meanscommon to said pipes and hoods, said means opening into thelower ends of the pipes and into each hood at spaced points throughout the latter.

7. In combination, a creel structure, a floor for supporting it, an open bottom suction head of inverted substantially U-lform seated on and having its bottom closed by said floor, said head surrounding and extended laterally from the lower portion of the creel structure and being formed at its inner side with an intake opening aligning with the lower ,end of the creel structure, spaced upstanding suction pipes arranged Within said creel structureand each formed with superposed intakes, and suction creating means common to said pipes and head, said means opening into the lower ends of the pipes and extend ing through the floor and opening into the head at spaced points throughout the latter.

8-. In combination, a creel structure, a floor for supporting it, a railing spaced from said structure and supported from the floor, an open bottom suction head of inverted substantially U-form seated on and having its bottom closed byrthe floor, said head vbeing interposed between the railing and said structure and surrounding the lower portion of i the latter, said head being formed throughout its inner side with an intake opening aligning with the lower end of the structure, and suction creating means extended through the floor and opening into the head at spaced points throughout the latter.

9. In combination, a creel structure, a floor for supporting it, a railing spaced from said structureand supported from the floor, an open bottom suction head of inverted substantially U-form seated on and having its bottom closed by thefioor, said head being interposed-between the railing and said structure and surrounding the lower portion of the latter, said head being formed throughout its inner side with an intake opening aligning with the lower end of the structure, spaced,upstanding suction pipes arranged within said creel structure and each formed with superposed intake openings, and suction creating means common to said pipes and head, said means opening into the lower ends of the pipes and extending through the floor and opening into the head at spaced points throughout the latter.

ERNEST J. EADDY. 

